Finnish Alpine Ski Team

Finland's small Alpine ski team has completed two consecutive successful seasons. Despite the small amount of places available, Finns have been seen on the podium every so often. Palander and Poutiainen's success and an increase in the number and variety of disciplines has promoted the popularity of the sport, making Alpine skiing one of the most watched winter sports in Finland.

The first Ladies. World Cup event held in Levi in February 2004 was an unqualified success in terms of both organisation and results. A 10,000-strong audience rejoiced in situ and an amazing 749,000 watched at home as Tanja Poutiainen nabbed the historic gold medal. The organisers of the event were also praised with a promise of more competitions for Levi in future: in 2004/2005, Levi will host a men's European Cup event, and the venue only has to wait a year for another World Cup competition.

Halti continues to work and rejoice with the Finnish Alpine ski team. With the rise in the popularity of Alpine skiing in Finland, Halti has received unexpected visibility as the purveyors of apparel to the national team and all Alpine skiing enthusiasts.  

European Cup team, men:
Petri Nyländen
Petteri Kantola
Jukka Leino
Jouni Pellinen
Jukka Rajala

Coaches:
Bozo Jaklin
Antti Koramo

European Cup team, women:
Noora Haterma
Sanni Leinonen
Tii-Maria Romar
Jessica Honkonen

Coaches:
Janez Slivnik
Conradin Netzer

Important event dates:

Alpine Ski World Championships: 2-18/2/2007 Åre, Sweden

For further information on the event calendar, visit www.hiihtoliitto.fi or www.fis-ski.com

World Cup Team

www.kallepalander.com PalanderCollection Born: 2.5.1977, Tornio Ski Club: Ruka Slalom Height: 179 cm Weight: 80 kg Coach: Jouni Palander, Christian Leitner, Ari Liisanantti Season 2005-2006 pujottelun #2 ja suurpujottelun #5 Season 2004/2005  SL #10 ja GS #6 WorldChampion SL 1999

www.samiuotila.com Born: 2.11.1976, Helsinki Ski Club: Espoo Slalom Height: 169 cm Weight: 70 kg Coach: Christian Leitner Season 2005-2006 lnjured Season 2004/2005  GS #44

www.tanjapoutiainen.com PoutiainenCollection Born: 6.4.1980, Rovaniemi Ski Club: OH Alppi Santa Claus Ski Team Height: 170 cm Weight: 67 kg Coach: Michael Bont Season 2005-2006  SL #5 & GS #8  Season 2004/2005  SL #1 & GS #1 Olympic Silver in GS 2006 WC Silver in GS 2005 WC SIlver in SL 2005

Coaches

The Austrian Christian Leitner is the Head Coach of the men`s team, with Pasi Laitakari, Tommi Viirret and Janne Haarala.

The ladies team is coached by the Swiss Michael Bont, assisted by Pasi Martikainen and Jan Tuupainen.